Learning in the global classroom: WC senior back from Quaker UN Summer School

WILMINGTON — Wilmington College has been providing opportunities for students to fulfill their dreams and travel the world for decades.

This summer, senior Maraya Wahl was able to experience the first-hand fulfillment of a dream to study in Geneva, Switzerland through the financial aid of the Isaac Harvey Fund and the influence of professors at WC.

Wahl, a political science and business management major, attended the Quaker United Nations Summer School in Geneva July 3-15, where she experienced life at the U.N. and Quaker involvement at an international level.

She studied with students from the UK, US, Palestine, Canada, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, Nepal, Ukraine, Tibet and Singapore.

“I had been planning on visiting Switzerland for years, and the opportunity opened my eyes to not only a new culture, but to life from an international perspective,” said Wahl. “The summer school wouldn’t have been possible without all of my political and social science experiences at Wilmington.”

Wahl was introduced to the idea to attend the summer school through Professor Emeritus Neil Snarr in early 2016, who had referred other Wilmington College students to the opportunity in the past.

She received further direction through Michael Snarr and Marlaina Leppert-Wahl, both professors in the political science department.

“I have so much to thank my mom, Marlaina, for. She not only exposed me to the desire to travel and experience other cultures, but was supportive in my efforts to save money and plan the trip,” said Wahl.

Wahl visited many international organizations and UN agenicies, including the World Trade Organization, the World Intellectual Property Organization, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.

She experienced the UN at work by observing the Human Rights Committee Review of Pakistan and the Expert Mechanism on the Rights of Indigenous People.

“It was fascinating to see how the accountability process of the UN works,” said Wahl. “Observing the action brought the international work to life for me.”

The Isaac Harvey Fund partially covered the fees of the school and transportation.

According to the Wilmington College website, “The Isaac Harvey Fund makes it possible for Wilmington College students to explore Quaker commitments to peace and social justice through travel and service.”